A Shoutout from Gold Bond Nation

I've just returned from Port Berge, my future home for two years. The current temperature there runs about 90 degrees in the shade. Known as the Black Hole (because of its inaccessibility), Port Berge looks to be a great place for me. The town is part of a communal region that is about 10,000 people strong. I believe that I will have ample opportunities to work on health related projects that will help promote healthy lifestyles. While being in a hot black hole does not sound like something too enticing, I truly believe that this will be a great home for me. The people who live there are extremely nice and welcoming, and my house is nice. Some nice amenities include: 3 separate rooms (bedroom, living room, and kitchen), couch and chair set, large bed, gas stove, refrigerator and the piece de resistance, an enclosed courtyard. Electricity is on a schedule that runs from 6PM-2AM every other day and 9PM-2AM on the off day. A couple of electric fans help me fall asleep at night, and a hot, saturating sweat helps wake me up in the mornings. I think its reasonable to assume that I will be damp for most of my stay in Port Berge. In case you were unaware, I sweat a lil’ bit.

On my visit, I was lucky to get to meet and stay with the volunteer I will be replacing, Michelle. She has been very successful in her stay here and will be a hard act to follow. In Peace Corps Madagascar lingo, she is super-mahay (very knowledgeable and productive). She has established good relationships in PB, and I am lucky to have a solid foundation of people who will help ease me into my new life. Needless to say, I’m excited about my future life in Port Berge.

If there are any adventurers out there I invite (more of a dare) you to come find me in Port Berge. The journey here is straight out of National Geographic. First, you fly from Antananarivo to Mahajunga, and then you get on a bush plane that flies into Antsohihy. This plane is a double prop that holds approximately 10-15 people. The plane has seen better days and the only seats are bench-like seats. I was waiting for a parachute to be dropped in my lap. The ride was fun, a lot better than any roller coaster at Worlds of Fun, with the possible exception of the Zambezi Zinger. Upon arrival to Antsohihy, I met Michelle, as well as the two other female volunteers working in my region, Emily and Lauren. We all went out for to dinner, where I had poisson (fish) in a coconut sauce over rice and a refreshing beverage of Malagasy Rum mixed with Citrus Fanta. We stayed in an interesting hotel and then departed for our respective sites the next morning. The taxi-brousse ride took around 5 hours in a brousse that was packed with around 30 people. I would imagine that “max capacity” is around 15. At times, there were at least 5 people hanging off the side and back of the car for 30 km stretches at a time. After many stops and one stop to cool off the radiator, we arrived in the dusty town of Port Berge. It’s an experience that I highly recommend.

(These are my own opinions, not those of Peace Corps/Madagascar)

I'm Alright, Don't Nobody Worry 'Bout Me

Kenny has just seen himself a computer with internet access for the first time in awhile and he couldn't help but send out a brief post. Here's hoping that all of you are doing well, and enjoying life. I'm sure fall, football, and tailgates are as good as they always are. How was Halloween? Any good stories or costumes? Personally, I always have and still do love that holiday. While its tough to beat Ghallagher of last year, I gave it noble effort again this year. I have found that any Halloween costume that revolves around too-tight clothing can provide some laughs. Are people laughing at me or with me? To be honest, I really don't care. Anywhooo, I was Travis McKay, the main male character in a trashy romance novel from 1987 entitled, White Nights. (There is a lot of time to read as a PC trainee, and sometimes the selection is what one might call lackluster). White Nights has been passed around, like a frat rat at the KU Phi Delt House, throughout my training group. Needless to say it's gotten us all thru some long nights...Sorry to digress. So, ol' Trav's outfit was purchased at the second hand clothing (fripery) stalls at the market where I live. Second hand clothing in Madagascar, while needing a thorough washing, trumps all other salvation armani establishments I've ever come across. My costume included a tight lacey shirt that unbuttoned to the navel, ill fitting tight black pants, cowboy hat, and daisy duke adidas tennis shorts that made an appearence later in the night. I looked and acted the fool and was rewarded with a very fun and memorable night.
Everything has been going really well. The work that I do, while tough and challenging, is very rewarding and fulfilling. I leave this Friday to visit my future home for 2 years. Port Berge is located in Northwestern Madagascar and is a relatively large town. Peace Corps knows it as the "black hole", as it is a sight that can only be reached by plane. I will be replacing a girl who has served her two years. Apparently, I have some large shoes to fill, but I'm up to challenge. I will be working predominantly with mother, adolescents and children. My efforts will revolve around "sensibilisation", or helping people realize that AIDS is present in Madagascar and must be prevented. I will also work with people in regards to family planning, nutrition, malaria prevention, and recognizing and then treating diarrhea at home.
I will know more about my living situation by Nov. 11, but I have heard that i have one of the tighter volunteer pads in Madagascar. I have a refrigerator, which is unprecedented. I mean you can put six packs of be...I mean soda in there. Well this is all for now, but please know that I love what I'm doing, I'm dedicated to the health efforts being made here and believe that this is one of the most worthwhile, selfless endeavors a person can undertake. Take care of yourselves and keep on a prayin, cause I need all the help I can get.

Peace
P.S. If you dont hear from me before Thanksgiving, feed your faces for me. Maybe pour a little gravy out for your homey.